Name: Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large ripe bananas, mashed; 1/4 cup salted butter, at room temperature; 1 cup white sugar; 1 large egg; 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature; 2 tsp cinnamon; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 2 oz full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature; 2 tbsp salted butter, at room temperature; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

If you love the comforting swirl of a cinnamon roll and the moist, rich flavor of banana bread, then this Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread is about to become your new obsession. Imagine a soft, fragrant loaf bursting with ripe bananas, ribboned with gooey cinnamon-sugar, and topped with a dreamy layer of cream cheese frosting. It bakes up golden and bakery-beautiful in your own kitchen, making your house smell like pure happiness. Whether you’re planning a weekend treat, a brunch centerpiece, or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe brings together two classics for twice the joy in every bite.

Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread is in its blend of humble, familiar ingredients, each playing an important role in building irresistible flavor and texture. Each element adds its own special touch, so don’t skip or swap without care!

Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—overripe bananas add intense sweetness and keep your loaf deliciously moist.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and a touch of salt that balances all the sweetness going on.
White Sugar: Sweetens the bread and helps create that tender, fluffy crumb.
Large Egg: Binds everything together and helps the bread rise to perfection.
All Purpose Flour: The base structure—use the spoon-and-level method for measuring to avoid a dense loaf.
Baking Soda: Gives the bread a good lift and a beautiful, light texture.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Cinnamon: Provides that signature warmth and spice that makes the swirl so magical.
Brown Sugar: Caramelizes in the swirl for gooey layers reminiscent of a classic cinnamon roll.
Cream Cheese: The key to a tangy, luscious frosting that pairs perfectly with the sweet bread.
Powdered Sugar: Ensures your cream cheese frosting is smooth and just the right amount of sweet.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the flavors in the frosting.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Get started by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease your loaf pan thoroughly, then line the bottom and long sides with parchment paper. This one simple step guarantees your Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread will lift out with ease and look absolutely picture-perfect.

Step 2: Mix the Banana Bread Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—think pale and slightly airy. Add the egg next and beat until it’s smooth and fully incorporated. Now, stir in those mashed, sweet bananas to build that classic banana bread base.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that every bite is evenly tender and you won’t stumble upon a clump of flour or bitter soda. Gently fold these dry ingredients into your banana mixture until just combined; don’t overmix, or you’ll risk a tougher crumb.

Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, mix the melted, cooled butter with cinnamon and brown sugar until it forms a decadent, sandy paste. This is your swirling magic—it’ll create beautiful, buttery ribbons of cinnamon throughout the loaf.

Step 5: Assemble the Loaf

Scoop half of your banana bread batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Then, spread half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over top. Add the remaining batter, followed by the rest of the cinnamon swirl, spreading it gently. With a butter knife, trace gentle lines horizontally and vertically through the loaf to swirl everything together just enough for a gorgeous marbled effect.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for about 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan before attempting to frost or slice. Trust me—waiting is the hardest part, but it pays off with perfect slices!

Step 7: Prepare and Frost

For the cream cheese frosting, beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. Once your banana bread is fully cooled, lavish the top with a thick layer of frosting, slice it up, and get ready to fall in love with Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread all over again.

How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread

Garnishes

Try sprinkling a pinch of extra cinnamon over the frosting, or even a bit of finely chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch. A drizzle of caramel sauce also takes it delightfully over-the-top. Feel free to get playful—the beauty of Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread is how customizable it can be.

Side Dishes

This loaf is a star on its own, but it sings with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy a slice alongside your favorite morning coffee, an iced latte, or even with a glass of cold milk at snack time. It makes for a cozy brunch treat or a sweet finish to any meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread looks gorgeous when sliced thick and fanned out on a platter for guests. For gifting, wrap a cooled, frosted loaf in wax paper and tie it with twine for a rustic, homemade touch. You can even bake the batter in muffin tins for adorable mini-loaves or cupcakes—perfect for sharing or freezing individual portions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay moist for up to five days—just be sure to keep that luscious frosting from drying out by covering the loaf snugly.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze this treat! Wrap slices or the whole, unfrosted loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then frost before serving for optimal texture and flavor.

Reheating

If you’re craving a warm slice, pop a piece (without frosting) into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Add frosting after reheating to keep it from melting away. A warm, slightly gooey piece of Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread is dangerously good and perfect for chilly mornings.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw the bananas completely, drain off any excess liquid, and mash as usual. You’ll still get all that sweetness and moisture in every slice.

What can I substitute for cream cheese in the frosting?

If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, try using Greek yogurt or mascarpone for a different but still delicious tang. Even a classic vanilla glaze works if you prefer something lighter!

How do I know when my Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread is done baking?

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Every oven is a bit different, so start checking at the 50-minute mark to avoid overbaking. The top should be golden, and your kitchen will smell amazing.

Can I make this Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread gluten-free?

You can swap the all-purpose flour for a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend. Just check the package instructions, and be sure to spoon and level as usual for the best texture.

Is it possible to reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, you can dial back the sugar slightly without affecting the structure too much. Try reducing the white sugar by 1/4 cup in the bread, but keep the brown sugar swirl and frosting amounts for maximum cinnamon roll flavor.

Final Thoughts

There’s a certain magic in baking up a loaf of Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread—the way it fills your kitchen with sweet, spicy aromas and delivers such a decadent reward at the end. I hope you give this recipe a try and share it with the people you love. Who knows, maybe it’ll become a new tradition in your home too!

Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 22 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread combines the best of two worlds – fluffy banana bread with a sweet cinnamon swirl, all topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting. It’s a delightful treat for breakfast or as a dessert.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease loaf pan and line bottom and long edges with parchment paper.
Banana Bread
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add the egg and mix until smooth. Mix in the mashed bananas. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the dry ingredients into the wet. Set aside.
Cinnamon Swirl
In a bowl, combine the melted butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Mix till combined.
Assembling the Loaf
Pour half of the batter into your loaf pan and spread it evenly. Add half of your cinnamon mixture on top, spreading evenly. Add the remaining banana bread batter into the loaf pan and top with the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture. Take a butter knife and gently trace lines horizontally and then vertically to add the swirls. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let fully cool in the pan before removing and frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix together until smooth. Top the frosting on the cooled banana bread and slice!

Notes

*Spoon and level flour refers to the way of measuring flour. To properly measure flour, you should scoop spoonfuls of flour into your measuring cup and then scrape with a knife to level off the excess. Scooping the measuring cup directly into your flour causes the flour to compress and get more than the recipe calls for.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American